Sanral asked to submit to e-toll panel

Sanral was asked to comment on the original socio-economic objectives of e-tolls by the advisory panel looking at the system, the Gauteng roads and transport portfolio committee said on Wednesday.

The portfolio committee was on Wednesday briefed by the panel, chairman Jacob Khawe said in a statement.

“The committee was informed that implementers such as Sanral, Gauteng department of roads and transport and entities were asked to comment on the original socio-economic objectives of e-tolls,” he said.

“Organized labour, business and civil society were requested to make inputs on the direct and indirect benefits and costs of the e-tolls.”

Since last Wednesday the panel has been holding hearings examining the economic and social impact of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and the electronic tolling system set up to fund it.

Gauteng provincial spokesman Thabo Masebe said last Monday organisations were invited to respond to the information provided by the GFIP’s and e-toll system’s “implementers”.

The panel is expected to present its findings to premier David Makhura at the end of November.

On Wednesday, portfolio committee spokesman Abe Mokoka said the committee did not have powers to compel an organisation to make representations to the advisory panel.

On Tuesday, SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) spokesman Vusi Mona said Sanral would not be making representations to the panel.

“No, Sanral will not be making representations,” Mona said in an e-mail.

Khawe hoped the panel would conclude its work within the November deadline.

“The committee recommended that the e-toll review panel must also engage with the petitions committee to get a briefing on the petitions… processed during the public hearings on the e-tolls,” Khawe said.

“The committee further urged the e-toll review panel to ensure that their public meetings are inclusive and specific dates are set with regard to engagement with all political parties in the province.”

The panel was advised to improve contact lines and work with municipalities when issuing its work schedule, so as many people as possible could be reached.